XC club championships will bring 1,300 athletes to Spokane Valley for Saturday competition

About 1,300 runners will compete at Plante’s Ferry Park on Saturday during the USA Track & Field’s national championships for cross country clubs.

The athletes and their families were expected to begin arriving Wednesday for the meet.

With this year’s mild winter, athletes will benefit from fast course conditions and can expect to produce top times, according to the Spokane Sports Commission.

“Bringing athletes and fans from all over the country is not only exciting, but also it is big business,” Eric Sawyer, CEO and president of the Sports Commission. “This event will have a positive economic impact on our entire community, benefiting hotels, restaurants, local attractions and retail outlets.”

The sports commission bid and was awarded the cross country championship in 2016 over cities across the country. It will be the second major USATF national event hosted in Spokane this year, following the 2018 USATF Masters Outdoor Championships in July.